Bu Zhong

Dr. Zhong is a tenured associate professor of journalism in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Pennsylvania State University. He is also an affiliated professor at Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques (ADAPT), Media Effects Research Lab, ICT4D Consortium, Science Communication Program, and the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. Currently, he is an Associate Editor of Computers in Human Behavior.

His research applies decision-making theories to studying how information processing may affect judgment and decision making. His recent focus is on how patients and scientists use and share information on social media may affect cognition and behavior change. His research addresses human interaction with the usage of ICT applications. Special attention has been paid to research projects with practical implications, such as how health information may be used as health interventions, leading to symptom control among patients. 

His research has been published in Journal of Communication, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Computers in Human Behavior, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Mass Communication and Society, Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, Newspaper Research Journal, American Behavioral Science, Asian Journal of Communication,and International Journal of Sports Communication.

At Penn State, he teaches news media ethics and TV reporting for undergraduates, and social media research, social media communication for graduate students. Before he joined the Penn State faculty, he worked as a journalist for China Daily in Beijing, CNN Bureau in Washington D.C., and CNN/USA in Atlanta. He holds a Ph.D. degree from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland and a Master's degree from Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri.